New Prescription App Takes Aim at Type 2

Adults with type 2 diabetes will soon have access to an extra team of health care professionals–available at their fingertips–thanks to BlueStar, a new digital product that recently earned FDA clearance.

The first diabetes-based app available by prescription and eligible for insurance reimbursement, BlueStar provides real-time motivational, behavioral, and educational coaching to assist patients in better managing their diabetes treatment plan.

After patients input their medications, blood sugar readings, diet and exercise, the program coordinates the results and makes suggestions to both them and their healthcare providers. It also offers positive reinforcement messages to help users stay on track.

“Giving patients access to a prescribed mobile therapy that helps tailor treatment to an individual’s needs and their physician’s orders may prove to be a major advancement in diabetes management,” says Dr. Richard Bergenstal, executive director at the International Diabetes Center and former president of the American Diabetes Association. “In the era of healthcare reform, it’s important that payers recognize that patients must have access to proven, novel digital tools.”

BlueStar is a product of WellDoc, a Baltimore-based company devoted to developing technology to help treat and manage chronic diseases like diabetes. It offers expanded features beyond WellDoc’s previous app, Diabetes Manager, such as interaction with a patient’s medical team.

BlueStar can be used on smartphones, tablets, and desktops, and will be treated as a pharmacy benefit similar to other prescription products. It will be available this summer in select areas followed by a nationwide launch later this year.

“Over the coming months, we will increase access to BlueStar, so adults living with type 2 diabetes can have the anywhere, anytime diabetes support they need,” says Chris Bergstrom, chief strategy and commercial officer at WellDoc.

Ford Motor Company and RiteAid will be among the first companies to offer the BlueStar program through company prescription benefit plans.

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Greetings from Nadia

A few facts about me in case you are new to my column and site.

My life in the diabetes community started at a young age as the secret keeper of my maternal and paternal Grandmothers. They both had type 2 diabetes and my days spent alone with them exposed me to their misunderstanding of how their diabetes really affected them. Eating candy bars, hiding the candy wrappers and smoking cigarettes seemed innocent enough to them. A decade later I married a type 1 person living with diabetes and experienced the full court of the diabetes spectrum with my type 2 family members and type 1 husband of almost 20 years.

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My grandmothers, the type 2 have struggled with their diabetes as long as I could remember. Later my mother followed in her mother’s footsteps. Sadly, my brother followed in my mother’s footsteps and experienced an early passing at the age of 53. My brother Jamal’s passing had the greatest impact on me. Probably because were the Irish twins; eleven months apart and his departure devastated me.

As I tell most people, diabetes is not a glamorous profession. Most people that work in the industry have a personal connection. This is why I am still here publishing after 26 years.

On the flip side of the coin, helping and inspiring people is my mission. I understand the daily challenges you face regardless of your education, IQ and economic circumstance. I am not a healthcare professional. Simply a lay person who has lived with a Type 1 and Type 2 family member who struggled with their disease. My former Type 1 husband was a role model in how to manage your diabetes, while my intelligent family members were role models on how an invisible disease can be misunderstood, devastating the quality of their life while leaving heart broken family members behind.

The perils of my experience have taught me to never judge anyone. As knowledgeable as I am, I also realize that I have no idea of the strings that pull at each person heart.

What I love about the diabetes community?

Once I meet someone and we share that we have a common experience; their diabetes and my life long experience as a care taker, we tend to have an instant bond. Think about it. How many people do you meet who you feel really get you right after your introduction? The conversations that follow tend to be very personal. Not a common experience with all strangers.

AskNadia Column

I started this column because where ever I go, people tend to ask me a lot of diabetes questions.

My answers are my opinions and it is not to be replaced by your healthcare professional’s opinion. The answers to your question in most cases will include research and other links to give you a borader perspective on your question.